While you will get your first view of Snoquera Falls as you pull into the trailhead parking area, don't stop there! A beautiful hike through a moss covered forest and intimate views of from the base of the falls await you. This gorgeous walk through the lush old-growth leads to a signed junction and great trail options from the outset. If you need a warm up before your climb, try the short and sweet Moss Lake Loop that leaves to your right. If not, continue straight to stay on to the Snoquera Falls Trail. Keep following signs for Snoqura Falls Trail #1167, staying to the right of the outdoor auditorium belonging to Camp Sheppard, where the boy scouts have their campfires.
After passing the junction with the White River Trail you will begin climbing the long switchbacks to the top. Enjoy peaceful hiking through the old-growth forest and make sure to note the size of some of those giants. Keep an eye out for the many western hemlock trees, Washington's state tree, that thrive in this zone. Before you know it you will hear the familiar sound of rushing water, and your destination will come into view around a rocky corner. Look up to see the falls cascading from the top of a sheer rock basin that looms high above you.
If water volume permits, cross the exposed rocks to reach the other side. If the flows are too high, you may need to turn back the way you came and save the scramble and loop for another time. After a safe crossing of the outlet, continue below the falls a bit until you come to a rock face where you will see a steep and rocky boot path leading up to the falls on your right. Scramble up the loose, steep, and sometimes slippery slope to get a close-up view of Snoquera Falls and cool off in the refreshing spray. This makes a great halfway point for a snack and photos of the waterfall. You'll also have a peek-a-boo view of the surrounding peaks from up here.
After your break, carefully head back down the path and stay to your right to continue the loop. Now the trail is a bit steeper, and it switchbacks down a talus slope to the bottom where you will meet up with the White River Trail. Take a left here and follow trail #1199 back to Camp Sheppard through the mossy forest, where your shaky knees can recover from your descent on this soft trail.
Comments
We parked at the trailhead, started out with the cool walkways on the Moss Lake Loop, and then headed up to Snoquera Falls. The water was calm enough underneath the falls for us to cross and continue forward on the loop. The water wasn't low enough for pup to wade through, so I carried him.
We tried to reach the suspension bridge that crosses White River across the highway from the trailhead, but despite the pink ribbon markers, the trail was still unnavigable and washed out. Maybe we'll catch it next fall!
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